Hello, Suffrage

Just a few hours ago I became a registered voter. Hopefully, in five months I will be able to exercise my right to vote. That is, if I figure out where my precinct is.

So I'm not exactly 18. I'm not 17, either. I am way past that age. Unfortunately, the only presidential elections I experienced after I turned 18 was when Gloria ran for a 2nd term. I was not ecstatic about voting for FPJ, either.

Anyway, I was supposed to print out these Application for Registration forms from the Comelec website, but I didn't have that paper size. I decided to just brave the lines at the Comelec office.

What a mistake.

I had to line up to submit a photocopy of my ID for an hour just so they can check on the database, which can be done on the Comelec website, if I already had a record. Of course I didn't, so I moved onto the line to the next window to get the form (which, again, can be downloaded online). They, however, only give out one copy of the form. Each applicant needs three copies, so that means off you go to get the form photocopied.

After getting the form photocopied and filled up, I walked to the other side of the city hall compound to submit such documents. Just my luck, they went on an hour's lunch break. After that, I lined up to four people: one who checked if I filled up the form correctly, another who checked to which precinct I should be assigned, one to list down my name and provide me an application number for my form, and the last took my photo, and digital thumb mark and signature.

Oh there were five! The last one held captive the ink pads for imprinting thumb marks. She also tore off that part of the form which acts as my stub or Acknowledgement Receipt.

And they say they have limited manpower? They have 300 people doing what 20 can!

But at the end of the day, I'm glad I registered. Finally.

For those of you who haven't, here's how to register:

1. Have a valid ID photocopied (front and back)

2. Download the Application for Registration forms here and fill them up

3. Go to the Comelec office for your particular district

Thanks to the Supreme Court and the Kabataan Partylist, voters' registration for new or first time voters has been extended to December 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29, 2009.

Go out and register. Go out and vote. Next year's elections is our chance at betterment. Amid all the cheating and the corruption, let's not lose hope.